Page 48 - How to Learn Smarter and Help Yourself to a New Language Faster!

Step 3: Accept That You Cannot Always Be Fluent

In keeping with the second goal, it is important to get rid of the word "fluent" in
a learner's vocabulary. Although it is quite counterintuitive to the purpose of this
book, it is necessary in learning any language. A person can never be truly
eloquent in a language foreign to their mother tongue. That is, unless they are a
native to the country the language they are learning originates from. And even
then, they still wouldn't be entirely fluent. That is because language is fluid, it is
volatile, alive and not rigid in form. It might be hard to keep up especially if you
do not always get to use the language.

The structure of a certain language will continue to change and develop before a
non-native speaker can even begin to catch up. Acknowledging and respecting
the fact that one cannot be fluent in a language is important. This enables a
learner to maintain a consistent drive to keep learning it. Instead, it is better for
learners to yearn to be functional in a language and let it continue to inspire
them. These ambitions are easier to define and achieve. Because of this, an
individual is less likely to feel disappointed or discouraged from continuing on
the otherwise beautiful journey of language learning.